Compact, all-layers-programmable integrated circuit arrangements

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a programmable IC (integrated circuit) arrangement. Included are: at least one input/output terminal; at least two receiver/source terminals for selectable electrical connection to the at least one input/output terminal; and a plurality of layers electrically interconnected with one another and providing electrical connection between the at least one input/output terminal and at least one of the at least two receiver/source terminals. At least a sub-plurality of the plurality of layers includes electrically conductive components selectably providable at at least two positions so as to selectably program electrical connection between the at least one input/output terminal and the at least two receiver/source terminals. The selectably providable electrically conductive components include ones of selectably providable vias, switch-contacts and well regions. The plurality of layers can include any of differing types of layers selected from the group of semiconductor well, diffusion, polysilicon, contact, metal conductor and vias layers. In a disclosed example embodiment, the programmable IC arrangement is a ROM (read-only-memory) cell having two input/output terminals, and where the electrically conductive components selectably program electrical connection between the two input/output terminals and two receiver/source terminals. Portions of the plurality of layers which include the electrically conductive components are substantially stacked substantially in alignment with each other.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to compact, stacked layerconfigurations for integrated circuits, which allow programmability oneach layer.

BACKGROUND

Although a ROM (read-only-memory) cell and a version number associatedwith an IC (integrated circuit) will be used to describe examples ofboth the background and the invention, practice of the present inventionis not limited to the same.

Turning first to a background, FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of anintegrated circuit IC1. Often ICs include groups of ROM cells which arepre-programmed during IC design, with such preprogramming propagatingthrough manufacturing, to provide desired values or code. For example,in FIG. 1, IC1 has an example plurality of ROM cells C_(A), C_(B),C_(C), C_(D), . . . , having outputs O_(A), O_(B), O_(C), O_(D), . . . ,respectively. Each ROM cell may have a selectably programable physicalarrangement which can be arranged during IC design and/or manufacturer,so as to program the ROM cell to output a desired value. For example,FIG. 2 shows an example cross-section of an example ROM cell C_(n).

Such ROM cell is typically formed of a plurality of layers, for example,the ROM cell C_(n) may have layers L_(A), L_(B), L_(C), L_(D), and someof the layers may be electrically interconnected with other layers usingvias layers V. The layers L_(A), L_(B), L_(C), L_(D) may be any of aplurality of different types, for example, semiconductor well,diffusion, polysilicon, contacts, metal conductor, vias, etc.constructions, with such layers being resultant from a plurality ofdifferent masks (and other processes) applied during IC manufacturing.One of such layers may have the above-discussed selectably programmableportion P, i.e., so as to be selectably programmable during IC designand/or manufacture so as to configure or program the ROM cell accordingto at least two possible choices, e.g., to output a logical “1” orlogical “0”, a first voltage level Vcc or a second voltage level Vss,etc.

As one example of a use of groups of ROM cells on an IC, often timesafter IC manufacturing, numerous different versions, generations or lots(hereinafter, “versions”) of an IC chip will be design modified (e.g.,improved) and/or modified during manufacturing in a strive to removeparacitics and/or unwanted behavior and/or improve performance, e.g.,often by changing a layout of one or more masks which were used topattern the IC from one version to another. During subsequentanalysis/comparison of the differing version IC chips, often it becomesimportant to be able to determine to which version a particular IC chipbelongs. Accordingly, in order to meet such need, the outputs O_(A),O_(B), O_(O), O_(D), . . . , of the FIG. 1 example plurality of ROMcells C_(A), C_(B), C_(C), C_(D), . . . , respectively, could beprogrammed (i.e., constructed) during design and/or manufacture tooutput a version number of the IC, e.g., to output a binary value of“0001” for a first version IC, a binary value of “0010”for a secondversion IC, etc. If desired, such outputs from the ROM cells could thenbe accessed during analysis/comparison to determine to which version aparticular chip belongs.

In addition, several differing groups of ROM cells could be used toseparately provide differing information, for example, a first group ofROM cells could be used to provide a unique serial number for the ICchip, a second group could be used to identify the exact masks used fora first type of layer (e.g., metal layer), a third group could be usedto identify the exact masks used for a second type of layer, anothergroup could be used to identify a date or manufacturing plant ofmanufacture. Such information could then be used for IC chipidentification purposes, or for verification purposes, e.g., to check tosee if the proper sets of masks were used.

Discussion turns next to disadvantages with the FIGS. 1-2 arrangement.More particularly, a first disadvantage with the FIGS. 1-2 arrangementis that such ROM cells are not programmable at each layer. Moreparticularly, assume that after analysis of a first version IC, it isdetermined that a configuration of the FIG. 2 layer L_(B) should bechanged in order to remove a paracitics and/or unwanted behavior and/orimprove performance. Accordingly, a mask used to produce this layerL_(B) may be changed. Since any IC manufactured with this changed maskwould represent a new version IC, the version number programmed withinthe ROM cells C_(A), C_(B), C_(C), C_(D), . . . , should also bechanged. However, since the programmable portions P of the ROM cells arenot within the layer L_(B) and instead are within layer L_(D), a maskfor the programmable layer L_(D) must also be changed in order to changethe IC version number. The required change of two masks instead of justone is a disadvantage in terms of increased manufacturing complexity,costs and increased time-to-market (TtM) delays.

As a second disadvantage, a size of the programmable portion P may belarger than other arrangements within the ROM cell and may increase asize of each ROM cell, such that the ROM cells C_(A), C_(B), C_(C),C_(D), . . . , have substantial wasted die space W (FIG. 1)therebetween. Wasted die space is incompatible with present day trendstoward increased miniaturization and lowered IC costs, and therefore isdisadvantageous.

SUMMARY

The invention is directed to a programmable IC (integrated circuit)arrangement. Included are: at least one input/output terminal; at leasttwo receiver/source terminals for selectable electrical connection tothe at least one input/output terminal; and a plurality of layerselectrically interconnected with one another and providing electricalconnection between the at least one input/output terminal and at leastone of the at least two receiver/source terminals. At least asub-plurality of the plurality of layers includes electricallyconductive components selectably providable at at least two positions soas to selectably program electrical connection between the at least oneinput/output terminal and the at least two receiver/source terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and a better understanding of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of exampleembodiments and the claims when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, all forming a part of the disclosure of this invention. Whilethe foregoing and following written and illustrated disclosure focuseson disclosing example embodiments of the invention, it should be clearlyunderstood that the same is by way of illustration and example only andthe invention is not limited thereto. The spirit and scope of thepresent invention are limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

The following represents brief descriptions of the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of an example disadvantageous integratedcircuit which includes an example disadvantageous group of ROM cells;

FIG. 2 shows an example cross-section of an example disadvantageous ROMcell of the arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of an example advantageous integratedcircuit which includes an example advantageous group of ROM cellsaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example plan view of an example advantageous ROM cell ofthe arrangement of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of plan views more clearly showing exampleindividual layers and/or components of the example advantageous ROM cellof FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of plan views more clearly showing ones ofexample selectably programmable vias and switch-contact components withrespect to the individual layers and/or components of the exampleadvantageous ROM cell of FIGS. 4-5;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A and 12B, showelectrical conduction paths through the FIG. 6 plan views, for showingthat a programmable move of any one of the example vias pairs V₇, V₇′,V₈, V₈′, V₉, V₉′, V₁₀, V₁₀′, V₁₁, V₁₁′, and V₁₂, V₁₂′, results in areversal of connections between the two interconnectors I₁, I₂ and thetwo input/output terminals O_(A), O_(A)′;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, show electrical conduction paths through the FIG. 6 planviews, for showing that a programmable move of an example switch-contactpair SC₁₃, SC₁₃ ′ within an N-WELL layer, results in a reversal ofconnections between the two interconnectors I₁, I₂ and the twoinput/output terminals O_(A), O_(A)′;

FIG. 14 shows a plurality of example plan views more clearly showingones of other example selectably programmable switch-contact componentswith respect to the individual layers and/or components of the exampleadvantageous ROM cell of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 16A, 16B show electrical conduction paths throughthe FIG. 14 plan views, for showing that a programmable move of any oneof the example switch-contact pairs SC₁₅, SC₁₅′ and SC₁₆, SC₁₆′ withinany one of example METAL3 and IMETAL layers, respectively, results in areversal of connections between the two interconnectors I₁, I₂ and thetwo input/output terminals O_(A), O_(A)′; and,

FIGS. 17A, 17B show plan views of a selectably programmable wellarrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention,mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like referencenumerals and characters may be used to designate identical,corresponding or similar components in differing figure drawings.Further, in the detailed description to follow, examplesizes/values/ranges may be given, although the present invention is notlimited to the same. As a final note, well known power/groundconnections, insulation layers and other components may not be shownwithin the FIGS. for simplicity of illustration and discussion, and soas not to obscure the invention.

As a prelude to more detailed description of the invention, an overviewof the invention is appropriate. More particularly, embodiments of theinvention are directed to a multi-layered electrical configuration wherean output can be modified by modifying any one of its constituentlayers.

Turning now to detailed description of an example embodiment of theinvention, FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of an example advantageousintegrated circuit IC2 which includes an example advantageous group ofROM cells C_(A)′, C_(B)′, C_(C)′, C_(D)′, C_(E)′, . . . according to oneexample embodiment of the present invention. Relatedly, FIG. 4 shows anexample plan view of one example advantageous ROM cell C_(n)′ of thearrangement of FIG. 3. Such example ROM cell C_(n)′ may be rectangularin shape and sized at 13 microns by 7 microns (see FIG. 4), but practiceof the present invention is not limited thereto. In fact, other regularand even complex shapes may be used, and as photolithography and otherIC manufacturing techniques mature over time, it is expected that ROMcells of much smaller size could be manufactured.

The example ROM cell C_(n)′ may further have a cell inter-connectorarrangement I₁, I₂which allows two differing voltage levels or signals(e.g., voltages Vcc and Vss) to traverse such cell and interconnect witha similar cell inter-connector arrangement of a neighboring cell, i.e.,such that the two differing voltages or signals can be made to commonlyextend across a plurality of ROM cells, and such differing voltages orsignals are available within a perimeter of each ROM cell. Suchinter-connectors I₁, I₂ may also be considered to be receiver/sourceterminals. Each ROM cell also has two inputs/output terminals O_(A),O_(A)′ which, as will become apparent in the discussions to follow, mayeach be programbly connected to either cell inter-connector I₁, I₂. Itshould be apparent and understood by those skilled in the art that theinput, output, receiver and source functions of the terminals O_(A),O_(A)′ and inter-connectors I₁, I₂are interchangeable, i.e., theterminals O_(A), O_(A)′ could just as equally serve as receiver/sourceterminals, and the inter-connectors I₁, I₂ could just as equally serveas input/output terminals.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of plan views more clearly showing examplelayers and/or components of the example advantageous ROM cell of thearrangement of FIG. 4. More particularly, shown are differing plan views100-700. The plan view 100 more specifically may contain: n-diffusioncomponents N-DIFF shown in an upper portion of plan view 100 andcommonly shaded with a first type of shading; n-well components N-WELLshown commonly outlined with dashed lines; and, polysilicon componentsPOLY shown in a lower portion and commonly shaded with another type ofshading. The plan views 200-500 show example differing metal layersMETAL1, METAL2, METAL3, METAL4, respectively, the plan view 600 shows anexample generic layer GLAYER, and the plan view 700 shows the examplemetal inter-connect layer IMETAL. Further shown throughout the plan view100-700 are numerous vias represented by small darkened squares, suchvias being made of some type of electrically conductive material (e.g.,metal) extending between and being for the purpose of interconnectingoverlying non-vias layers. Ones of the N-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY, METAL1,METAL2, METAL3, METAL4, GLAYER, IMETAL and vias components may beprovided by differing masks (and other processes) during IC manufacture,and ones of such components may separately exist or co-exist ondifferent layers of the ROM cell. For sake of clarity and brevity, notillustrated are insulation layers between the above-described layers, asinsulation layers are well known in the art.

An advantageous arrangement of the present invention is that all of theexample N-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY, METAL1, METAL2, METAL3, METAL4, GLAYER,IMETAL and vias V arrangements each contain selectably programmablecomponents such that the example ROM cell is fully programmable at anylevel or layer. In beginning to discuss such programmable arrangements,FIG. 6 will be used for discussion of selectably programmable viascomponents. More particularly, using FIG. 6's plan view 100 as anexample, shown are a pair of vias V₇, V₇′ which are selectably moveable(i.e., providable) between two positions, i.e., selectable movabilitybeing indicated by the hopping arrows in plan view 100, with each end ofthe hopping arrows indicating possible selectable positions. Morespecifically, using a simple change in a mask which is used to form thevias V₇, V₇′, such vias can be moved to (i.e., provided at) the secondindicated positions.

As will become apparent in discussion presented shortly ahead, such moveof vias results in a reversal of connections between the twointer-connectors I₁, I₂ and the two inputs/output terminals O_(A),O_(A)′, i.e., if inter-connectors I₁, I₂ are connected to inputs/outputterminals O_(A), O_(A)′, respectively, while vias V₇, V₇′ are in a firstposition, then interconnectors I₁, I₂ will be connected to inputs/outputterminals O_(A)′, O_(A), respectively, when vias V₇, V₇′ are in thesecond position. Accordingly, such selectably programmable componentsrender the example ROM cell fully programmable at this V₇, V₇′ level orlayer. Similar discussion apply with respect to each of the other viaspair V₈, V₈′, V₉, V₉′, V₁₀, V₁₀′, V₁₁, V₁₁′, and V₁₂, V₁₂′ levels, shownin the FIG. 6 plan views 200-600, respectively, and hence redundantdiscussion is omitted for sake of brevity.

A further advantageous arrangement of the present invention, is that allof the N-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY, METAL1, METAL2, METAL3, METAL4, GLAYER,IMETAL and vias V components/layer may be stacked and substantiallyaligned in a vertical column for compactness, and thus the example ROMcells C_(A)′, C_(B)′, C_(C)′, C_(D)′, C_(E)′, . . . can be more tightlypacked with one another as shown in FIG. 3, i.e., the FIG. 1 wastedspace W is avoided. Such is advantageous in terms of effective use ofdie space, and thus is compatible with present day trends towardincreased miniaturization and lowered IC costs.

Discussion now turns to more detailed discussions/illustrations withrespect to pairs of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B,12A and 12B, for comprehensively showing that a programmable move of anyof the vias pairs V₇, V₇′, V₈, V₈′, V₉, V₉′, V₁₀, V₁₀′, V₁₁, V₁₁′, andV₁₂, V₁₂′, results in a reversal of connections between the twointer-connectors I₁, I₂ and the two inputs/output terminals O_(A),O_(A)′. More particularly, turning first to FIG. 7A, first arrowed lineshaving a first characteristic are used to show an electrical connectionpath initiating from the first output terminal O_(A), and second arrowedlines of a second characteristic are used to show an electricalconnection path initiating from the second output terminal O_(A)′. Moreparticularly, such first and second arrowed lines show electricalconnection paths throughout the N-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY, METAL1, METAL2,METAL3, METAL4, GLAYER, IMETAL and vias V arrangements throughout theplan views. Ends of first and second arrowed lines which jump from oneplan view to another are also used to show which particular areas ofneighboring layers are electrically connected with one another, e.g.,via electrically conductive vias extending between ones of the N-DIFF,N-WELL, POLY, METAL1, METAL2, METAL3, METAL4, GLAYER, IMETAL components.As can be seen in FIG. 7A, with all of the N-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY, METAL1,METAL2, METAL3, METAL4, GLAYER, IMETAL and vias V arrangements in thepositions indicated, the interconnectors I₁, I₂ are connected toinputs/output terminals O_(A), O_(A)′, respectively.

Turning next to FIG. 7B, all of the N-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY, METAL1,METAL2, METAL3, METAL4, GLAYER, IMETAL and vias V arrangements are inthe same positions as FIG. 7A, except that the vias pair V₇, V₇′ withinthe oval-enclosed area has been programmably moved from a first positionto a second position. As a result of such programmable move, FIG. 7Bshows that a result where there has been a reversal of connectionsbetween the two inter-connectors I₁, I₂ and the two inputs/outputterminals O_(A), O_(A)′, i.e., whereas when the FIG. 7A vias V₇, V₇′ inthe first position resulted in the inter-connectors I₁, I₂ connected toinputs/output terminals O_(A), O_(A)′ respectively. when FIG. 7B viasV₇, V₇′ are in the second position, the inter-connectors I₁, I₂ areoppositely connected to inputs/output terminals O_(A)′, O_(A)respectively.

Similar discussions can be made with respect to each of the additionalpairs of FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A and 12B for otherpairs of vias. More particularly, oval-enclosed areas within eachrespective pairs of A and B FIGS. highlight the selectably programmablecomponent which has been changed between first and second positions.From viewing and understanding such FIGS., it can clearly been seen thata selectably programable move of any of the vias pairs V₈, V₈′, V₉, V₉′,V₁₀, V₁₀′, V₁₁, V₁₁′, and V₁₂, V₁₂′, at such vias layers may be used toresult in a reversal of connections between the two inter-connectors I₁,I₂ and the two inputs/output terminals O_(A), O_(A)′. Accordingly,further redundant discussion of FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A,11B, 12A and 12B is omitted for sake of brevity.

Returning to FIG. 6, in addition to highlighting selectably programmablevias pairs, FIG. 6 also highlights ones of a switch-contact pair SC₁₃,SC₁₃′ representing selectably programmable components of an N-WELL layerwithin the example ROM cell. More particularly, FIG. 6's switch-contactpair SC₁₃, SC₁₃′ is selectably moveable between two positions,selectable movability being indicated by the hopping arrows in plan view100, with each end of the hopping arrows indicating possible selectablepositions. More specifically, using a simple change in a mask which isused to form the switch-contact pair SC₁₃, SC₁₃′, such switch-contactpair can be moved to the second indicated position.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, show electrical conduction paths through the FIG. 5 planviews, and more particularly show that a programmable move of aswitch-contact pair SC₁₃, SC₁₃′ within an N-WELL layer results in areversal of connections between the two interconnectors I₁, I₂ and thetwo inputs/output terminals O_(A), O_(A)′. More particularly, in FIG.13B, all of the N-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY, METAL1, METAL2, METAL3, METAL4,GLAYER, IMETAL and vias V and switch-contact SC arrangements are in thesame programmable positions as FIG. 13A, except that the switch-contactpair SC₁₃, SC₁₃′ within the oval-enclosed area has been programmablymoved from a first position to a second position. Accordingly, byviewing FIGS, 13A, 13B, it can be clearly seen that in FIG. 13A, theinter-connectors I₁, I₂ are connected to inputs/output terminals O_(A),O_(A)′, respectively, whereas in FIG. 13B a reversal of connections hasbeen effected with the two inter-connectors I₁, I₂ being connected toinputs/output terminals O_(A)′, O_(A), respectively.

Discussion turns next to FIG. 14. More particularly, FIG. 14 shows aplurality of plan views more clearly showing eight other selectablyprogrammable switch-contact pairs with respect to the individual layersand/or components of the example advantageous ROM cell of thearrangement of FIG. 4. Discussion and illustration (like that set forthabove with respect to all of the vias) could be made to prove that eachof the illustrated eight switch-contact pairs could be used to result ina reversal of connections between the two interconnectors I₁, I₂ and thetwo inputs/output terminals O_(A), O_(A)′. However, in the interest ofbrevity and in order to avoid monotony, discussion and more detailedillustration will be made with respect to the selectable programabilityof only two example switch-contact pairs. More specifically, discussionwill be made with respect to the switch-contact pair SC₁₅, SC₁₅′ withinthe METAL# layer, and the switch-contact pair SC₁₆, SC₁₆′ within theIMETAL layer.

Turning now to the first such discussion, FIGS. 15A, 15B, showelectrical conduction paths through the FIG. 14 plan views, and moreparticularly show that a programmable move of the switch-contact pairSC₁₅, SC₁₅′ within the METAL3 layer results in a reversal of connectionsbetween the two inter-connectors I₁, I₂ and the two inputs/outputterminals O_(A), O_(A)′. More particularly, in FIG. 15B, all of theN-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY, METAL1, METAL2, METAL3, METAL4, GLAYER, IMETAL andvias V and switch-contact SC arrangements are in the same programmablepositions as FIG. 15A, except that the switch-contact pair SC₁₅, SC₁₅′within the oval-enclosed area has been programmably moved from a firstposition (FIG. 15A) to a second position (FIG. 15B). Accordingly, byviewing FIGS, 15A, 15B, it can be clearly seen that in FIG. 15A, theinter-connectors I₁, I₂ are connected to inputs/output terminals O_(A),O_(A)′, respectively, whereas in FIG. 15B a reversal of connections hasbeen effected with the two inter-connectors I₁, I₂ being oppositelyconnected to inputs/output terminals O_(A)′, O_(A), respectively.

As to the second discussion, FIGS. 16A, 16B, show electrical conductionpaths through the FIG. 14 plan views, and more particularly show that aprogrammable move of the switch-contact pair SC₁₆, SC₁₆′ within theIMETAL layer results in a reversal of connections between the twointer-connectors I₁, I₂ and the two inputs/output terminals O_(A),O_(A)′. More particularly, in FIG. 16B, all of the N-DIFF, N-WELL, POLY,METAL1, METAL2, METAL3, METAIL4, GLAYER, IMETAL and vias V andswitch-contact SC arrangements are in the same programmable positions asFIG. 16A, except that the switch-contact pair SC₁₆, SC₁₆′ within theoval-enclosed area has been programmably moved from a first position(FIG. 16A) to a second position (FIG. 16B). Accordingly, by viewingFIGS, 16A, 16B, it can be clearly seen that in FIG. 16A, theinter-connectors I₁, I₂ are connected to inputs/output terminals O_(A),O_(A)′, respectively, whereas in FIG. 16B a reversal of connections hasbeen effected with the two inter-connectors I₁, I₂ being oppositelyconnected to inputs/output terminals O_(A)′, O_(A), respectively.

Final discussion turns to FIGS. 17A, 17B which show plan views of aselectably programmable well arrangement, which may be used withembodiments of the present invention, e.g., with the example ROM cell.Shown within such FIGS. are: a substrate SUB; three n-diffusion regionsN-DIFF₁, N-DIFF₂, N-DIFF_(IN); two p-diffusion regions P-DIFF₁, P-DIFF₂;a first metal conductor M-IN connected via a contact to n-diffusionregion N-DIFF_(IN); a second metal conductor M-OUT₁ connected viacontacts to n-diffusion region N-DIFF₁ and p-diffusion region P-DIFF₁; athird metal conductor M-OUT₂ connected via contacts to n-diffusionregion N-DIFF₂ and p-diffusion region P-DIFF₂; and, a well region WELL.Connection of any of the first metal conductor M-IN, second metalconductor M-OUT₁, or third metal conductor M-OUT₂, to any of thepreviously discussed interconnectors I₁, I₂ or inputs/output terminalsO_(A)′, O_(A) (or other components), is well within a level of oneskilled in the art, and hence unnecessary discussion/illustrationsthereof will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

Discussion will now turn to the selectable programmability of the FIGS.17A, 17B arrangement. Within FIGS. 17a, 17 b the substitute SUB may beelectrically connected to a voltage V_(ss), whereas a metal conductorM-IN may be connected to a voltage V_(cc) or any predetermined signal.By sliding a well region (shown in dashed form), appropriate voltage orsignals can be connected to desired terminals.

More particularly, FIG. 17A shows a first arrangement wherein the WELLis formed in a rightward position, so as to contact the n-diffusionregions N-DIFF_(IN), N-DIFF₂ and the p-diffusion region P-DIFF₂,enclosed within such well. If the WELL is diffused with n-type material,a conduction path CP₁ will be set up through the contacts andn-diffusion regions of the N-DIFF_(IN), n-WELL and N-DIFF₂ so as toallow electrical conduction between the metal conductors M-IN andM-OUT₂. In contrast, a diode-type arrangement is set up with respect tothe p-diffusion region P-DIFF₂ and the n-WELL, in a manner to preventelectrical conduction therebetween.

Discussion next turns to a left half of FIG. 17A. More particularly, ifthe substrate SUB is generally a p-type material, a conduction path CP₂will be set up through the contacts and p-diffusion region P-DIFF₁, soas to allow electrical conduction between the substrate SUB and M-OUT₁.Accordingly, if the substate SUB is connected to a voltage (e.g., Vss),M-OUT₁ would be connected to such voltage. In contrast, a diode-typearrangement is set up with respect to the n-diffusion region N-DIFF₁ andthe substrate SUB, in a manner to prevent electrical conductiontherebetween. Accordingly, the substrate voltage V_(ss) is output atM-OUT₁, whereas the M-IN voltage V_(cc) or signal is output at M-OUT₂.

FIG. 17B shows the WELL selectably programmed to a second position, soas to get opposite results from that of FIG. 17A. More particularly,FIG. 17A shows a second arrangement wherein the WELL is formed in aleftward position, so as to contact the n-diffusion regions N-DIFF_(IN),N-DIFF₁, and the p-diffusion region P-DIFF₁, enclosed within such well.If the WELL is diffused with n-type material, a conduction path CP₃ willbe set up through the contacts and n-diffusion regions of theN-DIFF_(IN), n-WELL and N-DIFF₁ so as to allow electrical conductionbetween the metal conductors M-IN and M-OUT₁. In contrast, a diode-typearrangement is set up with respect to the p-diffusion region P-DIFF₁ andthe n-WELL, in a manner to prevent electrical conduction therebetween.

With regard to the right half of FIG. 17B, if the substrate SUB isgenerally a p-type material, a conduction path CP₄ will be set upthrough the contacts and p-diffusion region P-DIFF₂, so as to allowelectrical conduction between the substrate SUB and M-OUT₂. Accordingly,if the substate SUB is connected to a voltage (e.g., Vss), M-OUT₂ wouldbe connected to such voltage. In contrast, a diode-type arrangement isset up with respect to the n-diffusion region N-DIFF₂ and the substrateSUB, in a manner to prevent electrical conduction therebetween.Accordingly, the substrate voltage V_(ss) is now output at M-OUT₂,whereas the M-IN voltage V_(cc) or signal is now output at M-OUT.

As should now be understood with respect to the present invention, thereare many types of switching arrangement which could be used. Forexample, the foregoing example embodiments described vias switchingarrangements (FIGS. 6, 7 a, 7 b, for example) which have two viastructures which are slid in parallel between two possible positions andwhich represents an inter-layer switching arrangement. Further, FIGS.14, 15 a, 15 b, for example, describe metal slide switching arrangementswhere two metal connecting pads are slid in parallel between twopossible positions and which represents an intra-layer switchingarrangements. FIGS. 16a, 16 b, for example, describe metal jumpingswitching arrangements where two metal conducting pads are jumped inopposition between two possible positions, and which also represents anintra-layer switching arrangement. Further, FIGS. 6, 13 a, 13 b, forexample, describe N-well jumping switching arrangements where two N-wellconducting pads are jumped in opposition between two possible positions,and again which represents an intra-layer switching arrangement. Stillfurther, FIGS. 17a, 17 b, for example, describe a sliding well which isslid between two possible positions and which also represents anintra-layer switching arrangements. Practice of the present invention isnot limited to those examples, and in fact, other types of switchingarrangements would equally apply.

Further, it should be apparent that the present invention could also bepractice with semiconductor arrangements having a substrate anddiffusions which are of the opposite types to those given in the aboveexample embodiments.

This concludes the description of the example embodiments. Although thepresent invention has been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis invention. More particularly, reasonable variations andmodifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements ofthe subject combination arrangement within the scope of the foregoingdisclosure, the drawings and the appended claims without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. In addition to variations and modificationsin the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will alsobe apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, practice of the all-layers-programmable arrangement of theinvention is not limited to use with a ROM cell, but instead, could beused for many other uses, with a non-exhaustive listing of other usesincluding: an all-layers-programmable routing structure, for routingsignals through a plurality of layers; an all-layers-programmable wiringstructure; etc. Further, practice of the invention is not limited onlyto providing IC version numbers, but instead, could be used for manyother uses, with a non-exhaustive listing of other uses including:providing register values and/or programming code for use upon ICinitialization; providing an IC serial number; providing informationregarding a manufacturing date/time, manufacturer, manufacturing plant,authorized uses of the IC; etc. In addition, although the exampleembodiment discussed includes two input/output terminals O_(A)′, O_(A),practice of the invention is not limited to the same, i.e., practice ofthe invention could be made with only a singular input/output terminal,or could be made with more than two input/output terminals. Likewise,although the example embodiment discussed includes only tworeceiver/source terminals, practice of the invention is not limited tothe same, i.e., there could be three or more receiver/source terminals.As another alternative, although the example embodiment describes eachsingular input/output terminal being programmably connected to only asingular receiver/source terminal, practice of the present invention isnot limited to the same. For example, if any of the vias orswitch-contacts are provided at both selectable positions (instead ofjust one position) within any of the programmable layers, then bothinter-connectors I₁, I₂ would be mutually connected to inputs/outputsO_(A)′, O_(A). In addition, each all-layers-programmable arrangement ofthe present invention may further include an activating/deactivatingarrangement such as a switching transistor (e.g., within an electricalconduction path of such arrangement), for turn on/off an operation ofsuch arrangement.

What is claimed is:
 1. A programmable IC (integrated circuit)arrangement comprising: at least one input/output terminal; at least tworeceiver/source terminals for selectable electrical connection to saidat least one input/output terminal; and a plurality of layerselectrically interconnected with one another and providing electricalconnection between said at least one input/output terminal and at leastone of said at least two receiver/source terminals, wherein at least asub-plurality of said plurality of layers includes electricallyconductive components selectably providable at at least two positions soas to selectably program electrical connection between said at least oneinput/output terminal and said at least two receiver/source terminals.2. A programmable IC arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein eachlayer of said plurality of layers includes electrically conductivecomponents selectably providable at at least two positions so as toselectably program electrical connection between said at least oneinput/output terminal and said at least two receiver/source terminals.3. A programmable IC arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidelectrically conductive components selectably providable at at least twopositions, include ones of selectably providable vias, switch-contactsand well regions.
 4. A programmable IC arrangement as claimed in claim2, wherein said electrically conductive components selectably providableat at least two positions, include at least two different types ofcomponents selected from a group of selectably providable vias,switch-contacts and well regions.
 5. A programmable IC arrangement asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said sub-plurality of said plurality oflayers includes at least two differing types of layers selected from thegroup of semiconductor well, diffusion, polysilicon, contact, metalconductor and vias layers.
 6. A programmable IC arrangement as claimedin claim 1, comprising: at least three layers electricallyinterconnected with one another and providing electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal and at least one of saidat least two receiver/source terminals, wherein at least three layers ofsaid at least three layers includes electrically conductive componentsselectably providable at at least two positions so as to selectablyprogram electrical connection between said at least one input/outputterminal and said at least two receiver/source terminals.
 7. Aprogrammable IC arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidprogrammable IC arrangement is a ROM (read-only-memory) cell.
 8. Aprogrammable IC arrangement as claimed in claim 1, comprising twoinput/output terminals, wherein said at least a sub-plurality of saidplurality of layers includes electrically conductive componentsselectably providable at at least two positions so as to selectablyprogram electrical connection between said two input/output terminalsand said at least two receiver/source terminals.
 9. A programmable ICarrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein portions of said at least asub-plurality of said plurality of layers, which include saidelectrically conductive components are substantially stackedsubstantially in alignment with each other.
 10. A programmable IC(integrated circuit) arrangement comprising: at least one input/outputterminal means; at least two receiver/source terminal means forselectable electrical connection to said at least one input/outputterminal means; and a plurality of layer means electricallyinterconnected with one another and providing electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal means and at least oneof said at least two receiver/source terminal means, wherein at least asub-plurality of said plurality of layer means includes electricallyconductive means selectably providable at at least two positions so asto selectably program electrical connection between said at least oneinput/output terminal means and said at least two receiver/sourceterminal means.
 11. A programmable IC arrangement as claimed in claim10, wherein each layer means of said plurality of layer means includeselectrically conductive means selectably providable at at least twopositions so as to selectably program electrical connection between saidat least one input/output terminal means and said at least tworeceiver/source terminal means.
 12. A programmable IC arrangement asclaimed in claim 11, wherein said electrically conductive meansselectably providable at at least two positions, include ones ofselectably providable vias means, switch-contact means and well regionmeans.
 13. A programmable IC arrangement as claimed in claim 11, whereinsaid electrically conductive means selectably providable at at least twopositions, include at least two different types of components selectedfrom a group of selectably providable vias means, switch-contact meansand well region means.
 14. A programmable IC arrangement as claimed inclaim 10, wherein said sub-plurality of said plurality of layer meansincludes at least two differing types of layer means selected from thegroup of semiconductor well, diffusion, polysilicon, con tact, metalconductor and vias layer means.
 15. A programmable IC arrangement asclaimed in claim 10, comprising: at least three layer means electricallyinterconnected with one another and providing electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal means and at least oneof said at least two receiver/source terminal means, wherein at leastthree layer means of said at least three layer means includeselectrically conductive means selectably providable at at least twopositions so as to selectably program electrical connection between saidat least one input/output terminal means and said at least tworeceiver/source terminal means.
 16. A programmable IC arrangement asclaimed in claim 10, wherein said programmable IC arrangement is a ROM(read-only-memory) cell.
 17. A programmable IC arrangement as claimed inclaim 10, comprising two input/output terminal means, wherein said atleast a sub-plurality of said plurality of layer means includeselectrically conductive means selectably providable at at least twopositions so as to selectably program electrical connection between saidtwo input/output terminal means and said at least two receiver/sourceterminal means.
 18. A programmable IC arrangement as claimed in claim17, wherein portions of said at least a sub-plurality of said pluralityof layer means, which include said electrically conductive means aresubstantially stacked substantially in alignment with each other.
 19. Aprogrammable IC (integrated circuit) arrangement comprising: at leastone input/output terminal; at least two receiver/source terminals forselectable electrical connection to said at least one input/outputterminal; and a plurality of layers electrically interconnected with oneanother and providing electrical connection between said at least oneinput/output terminal and at least one of said at least tworeceiver/source terminals, wherein at least a sub-plurality of saidplurality of layers includes electrically conductive components, witheach component selectably providable at at least two positions so as toselectably program electrical connection between said at least oneinput/output terminal and said at least two receiver/source terminals.20. A programmable IC (integrated circuit) arrangement comprising: atleast one input/output terminal means; at least two receiver/sourceterminal means for selectable electrical connection to said at least oneinput/output terminal means; and a plurality of layer means electricallyinterconnected with one another and providing electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal means and at least oneof said at least two receiver/source terminal means, wherein at least asub-plurality of said plurality of layer means includes electricallyconductive means, with each conductive means selectably providable at atleast two positions so as to selectably program electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal means and said at leasttwo receiver/source terminal means.
 21. A programmable IC (integratedcircuit) arrangement comprising: at least one input/output terminal; atleast two receiver/source terminals for selectable electrical connectionto said at least one input/output terminal; and a plurality of layerselectrically interconnected with one another and providing electricalconnection between said at least one input/output terminal and at leastone of said at least two receiver/source terminals, wherein at least asub-plurality of said plurality of layers includes electricallyconductive components, with each component selectably providable at atleast two alternate positions along a corresponding electricalconduction path so as to selectably program electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal and said at least tworeceiver/source terminals.
 22. A programmable IC (integrated circuit)arrangement comprising: at least one input/output terminal means; atleast two receiver/source terminal means for selectable electricalconnection to said at least one input/output terminal means; and aplurality of layer means electrically interconnected with one anotherand providing electrical connection between said at least oneinput/output terminal means and at least one of said at least tworeceiver/source terminal means, wherein at least a sub-plurality of saidplurality of layer means includes electrically conductive means, witheach conductive means selectably providable at at least two alternatepositions along a corresponding electrical connection path so as toselectably program electrical connection between said at least oneinput/output terminal means and said at least two receiver/sourceterminal means.
 23. A programmable IC (integrated circuit) arrangementcomprising: at least one input/output terminal; at least tworeceiver/source terminals for selectable electrical connection to saidat least one input/output terminal; and a plurality of layerselectrically interconnected with one another and providing electricalconnection between said at least one input/output terminal and at leastone of said at least two receiver/source terminals, wherein at least asub-plurality of said plurality of layers includes electricallyconductive components, with each component selectably providable at atleast two positions so as to selectably program electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal and said at least tworeceiver/source terminals, wherein a first position programs electricalconnection of said at least one input/output terminal to a firstreceiver/source terminal of said at least two receiver/source terminals,and a different position programs electrical connection of said at leastone input/output terminal to a different receiver/source terminal ofsaid at least two receiver/source terminals.
 24. A programmable IC(integrated circuit) arrangement comprising: at least one input/outputterminal means; at least two receiver/source terminal means forselectable electrical connection to said at least one input/outputterminal means; and a plurality of layer means electricallyinterconnected with one another and providing electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal means and at least oneof said at least two receiver/source terminal means, wherein at least asub-plurality of said plurality of layer means includes electricallyconductive means, with each conductive means selectably providable at atleast two positions so as to selectably program electrical connectionbetween said at least one input/output terminal means and said at leasttwo receiver/source terminal means, wherein a first position programselectrical connection of said at least one input/output terminal meansto a first receiver/source terminal means of said at least tworeceiver/source terminal means, and a different position programselectrical connection of said at least one input/output terminal meansto a different receiver/source terminal means of said at least tworeceiver/source terminal means.